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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
75
Features
52
Overall
65

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Introduced March 2010
  • Later Model is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax 645D, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and 645D (40MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ8 was manufactured 3 years after the 645D which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SZ8 scores vs the 645D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax 645D

 SZ8 645D 
IntroducedJanuary 2014March 2010More modern by 47 months

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic SZ8

 645D SZ8 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax 645D

 SZ8 645D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ8 comes with outer dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax 645D has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") accompanied by a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax 645D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ8 compared to the 645D.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and 645D is 94 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and 645D.

As you can tell, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ8 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645D will result in more detail due to its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer SZ8 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Portrait photography camera
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
77
you can focus manually
amazing resolution (40MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
Street photography with Pentax 645D
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
58
great sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
Pentax 645D Sports photography factors
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
62
amazing resolution (40 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
Pentax 645D Travel photography factors
67
lighter than others (159g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (200 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
55
weather proofing
amazing resolution (40MP)
bad battery power (800 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax 645D
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
amazing resolution (40 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
no low pass filter
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging info
Pentax 645D Vlogging info
32
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than others (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
9
no video
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax 645D
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax 645D
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Revealed 2014-01-06 2010-03-10
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 40 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7264 x 5440
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Available lenses - 6
Crop factor 5.9 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 1480g (3.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1262
Other
Battery life 200 images 800 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots One 2
Retail price $275 $4,000